Plymouth social workers are celebrating after their work to help vulnerable adults and young people was recognised in the profession’s national awards.
Cheri Pearson, who works for Livewell Southwest, received the Silver Award in the UK Social Worker of the Year Awards’ Adults Team Leader of the Year category.
And Livewell’s Complex Review and Transition Team was a finalist in the Adults Team of the Year category.
Cheri’s award celebrates the success of the hospital discharge team at Derriford Hospital, where she leads the team of nurses, community care workers and social workers who work together to assess the support people need to enable them to leave hospital safely at the right time.
She is passionate about social workers and health professionals working together to provide seamless support for people.
She said: “I was really thrilled to win the silver award, and it was inspiring to attend the event and be among so many ambassadors for best practice in our profession. My award was for team leader, but hospital discharge is a true integrated team effort and everyone deserves the recognition.”
The Complex Review and Transition Team is another multi-disciplinary team where social workers work alongside psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists and behavioural advisors to support young people as they move from children’s services to adulthood.
The team typically supports those who may have a combination of learning disabilities, developmental disorders and/or mental health difficulties and the goal is to support them to become productive, participating members of their community.
Team manager Heather Rogers said: “We’re really proud to be finalists. Every day as a team we face the complexity and challenge in social work but our reward is seeing its power to transform people’s lives. Putting the person at the centre of what we do is the only way to ensure the positive outcomes the person wants and deserves.”
Dr Adam Morris, Livewell Southwest chief executive, added: “I couldn’t be more proud of what our social care colleagues have achieved. These are two fantastic examples of integrated working at its best, and Cheri, Heather and everyone involved deserves this national recognition.”
Kerry Dodd, Livewell Southwest Principal Social Worker, said: “I’m delighted that once again the work we are doing to help vulnerable people in Plymouth has been recognised by this national body and identified as among the best in the country.
“Cheri, Heather and the transition team personify what social work is all about: caring, passionate, determined and rigorous. I’m immensely proud of them.”
The Social Worker of the Year Awards were founded in 2006 by independent practitioner, Beverley Williams MBE, with the aim of improving the understanding and reputation of the profession.
Livewell Southwest is the provider of community physical and mental health services and social care for adults in Plymouth and West Devon, funded by the NHS and local authorities.
